Technological leaps could bring human immortality by 2030
The past few months have witnessed intense technological advancements, echoing the forecasts of Ray Kurzweil. This well-known futurist and computer scientist predicts that the coming decade will bring humanity closer to immortality, with artificial intelligence poised to pass the Turing test. Kurzweil has a track record of successful predictions in new technologies.
In 1990, Kurzweil forecasted that by 2000, computers would defeat world chess champions and herald the era of portable computers and smartphones. In 2010, he revisited his earlier predictions, finding that out of 147 predictions, 115 fully came true, 12 partially materialized, and only three were incorrect, one being the widespread use of autonomous cars by 2009. Now, Kurzweil asserts that in the next seven years, humanity will achieve immortality.
What will change in human life in 5 years?
In one of his articles, Kurzweil claimed that by 2030, we will be able to extend life expectancy by more than a year each year, potentially ending deaths from natural causes. These advancements will bring changes affecting every aspect of our world.
The futurist envisions a future where nanobots in our bloodstreams repair tissues and deliver medications directly to infection sites. Technology will enable our minds to connect to the cloud, allowing near-instantaneous transmission of thoughts, videos, or messages, and even creating backups of our memories.
Will artificial intelligence surpass the limits of imagination?
Kurzweil identifies the year 2045 as the point when artificial intelligence will exceed our current imaginative limits. He views this future not as dystopian, but as an opportunity to enhance human intellect to unparalleled heights. In his opinion, AI will multiply human intelligence, leading to a state of being "godlike."
Kurzweil's conclusions are primarily based on his observation of current technological trends. For instance, he highlights the ability of paralyzed individuals to construct sentences via electrodes connected to their brains, a possibility increasingly realized through advancements by companies like Elon Musk's Neuralink. Whether these predictions will come to fruition remains to be seen in seven years.
